The UK debate on obesity rumbles on and the UK government claim to be working to improve nationwide issues such as child obesity and the onset of Type 2 or "diet affected" diabetes.
 
So why, in such a climate of anxiety over expanding waistlines, are McDonalds sales rising in the UK? For the fast-food giant, 2007 was one of its hottest years yet, and in December alone the British made more than 88 million visits to the junk-food outlet, with 90 per cent of customers still opting for the traditional meal of burgers and fries, as opposed to the much hyped "healthier" choice wraps and salads available.
 
Despite the recent banning of advertising fast food in an attempt to rein in such companies in their aim to lure in the under-16 age group, young people still appear to be the largest consumer for McDonald's and other chains. Colin Waine, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said: "The younger age group keep saying they are concerned about obesity. Unfortunately, they just don't seem concerned enough to alter their behaviour."

In an interesting turn of events, McDonald's Europe has recently received an award for restaurant innovation. Planet Retail, who gave the award, made reference to how well the chain had embraced the "cafe culture" by installing Wi-Fi hotspots in many of its restaurants and serving quality cappuccinos and lattes.